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Unified Geologic Map of the Moon, 1:5M, 2020

This new work represents a seamless, globally consistent, 1:5,000,000-scale geologic map derived from
the six digitally renovated geologic maps (see Source Online Linkage below). The goal of this project was to
create a digital resource for science research and analysis, future geologic mapping efforts, be it local-, regional-,
or global-scale products, and as a resource
for the educators and the public interested in lunar geology. Here we present the completed mapping
project as unit contacts, geologic unit polygons, linear features, and unit and feature nomenclature
annotation. The product overlies shaded-relief products derived from SELENE Kaguya terrain camera stereo
(equatorial, ~60 m/pix) and LOLA altimetry (north and south polar, 100 m/pix). These data are not
included with this download due to size considerations, but a readme in the "Lunar_Raster" folder
provides the download links. This download page includes a PDF of the geologic map (right-side) with a brief Description
of Map Units and Explanation of Map Symbols, as well as a JPG of the map for quick access viewing. This release is subject to update based on community feedback and peer-review.

Version 2 updates:
Two errors were addressed in this update:
(1) Large area polygons were offset from their contacts, likely due to user error. Polygons were rebuilt
to fix the issue and post processing (dissolving, reattributing, etc.) to rectify the aesthetic of the map.
(2) Contacts were not visible but should have been due to incorrect labeling as DND (do not draw). Those that
needed to be drawn have been reattributed as "certain" those that are not drawn are labeled as "internal".
Additionally, in version 1 of this data, crater polygons with similar attributes had been dissolved and lumped
into contiguous units. This has been changed so that all craters are now discrete units. This adds ~1000 units
to the GeoUnits featureclass and the related contacts are now visible and labeled as "certain".

General

Purpose

The chief purpose of the 5M scale map is to summarize the current state of lunar geologic knowledge. Like terrestrial synoptic maps it provides a stratigraphic framework to be used for developing new theory and for determining the regional significance of surface exploration results. In addition to serving as a framework for interpreting surface exploration results, the effort to classify units into type and age by photogeology narrows the range of possible origins for many features.

Data Status and Quality

These maps are updated and sometimes a reinterpretation of the original geologic units or relationships.

Completeness Report

This release is globally produced at a 5M scale.

Process Description

The current renovation of the digital maps adhered to strict guidelines for vector generation and used recent datasets to spatially adjust the location of the geology and linework. The data sets discussed above were used in combination with ESRI’s ArcMap Geographic Information System (GIS) software, to draw vectors on the shaded-relief derived from SELENE Kaguya terrain camera stereo (equatorial, ~60 m/pix) and LOLA altimetry (north and south polar, 100 m/pix). The vectors were drawn with a consistent vertex spacing of ~3 km at 1:1.5M scale, and were smoothed using a maximum allowable offset tolerance of ~16 km. The adjustments and adherence to these guidelines resulted in a product that increased the feature location accuracy at the 1:5M scale and makes the product more cartographically appealing.